Chapter 26: Gravitational Fields Flashcards
What is a gravitational field?
“A gravitational field is a region of space around a mass where another mass experiences a force due to gravity.”
What is the gravitational force?
“The gravitational force is the attractive force that acts between two masses
What is the gravitational field strength?
“Gravitational field strength (g) is the force per unit mass exerted on a small test mass placed in the field. It is given by g = F/m.”
What is the value of gravitational field strength near the Earth’s surface?
“Near the Earth’s surface
What is the concept of gravitational potential energy?
“Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field. It is given by U = mgh near the Earth’s surface.”
What is gravitational potential?
“Gravitational potential at a point is the work done per unit mass in bringing a test mass from infinity to that point in the gravitational field.”
What is the equation for gravitational potential?
“The gravitational potential (V) at a distance r from a mass M is given by V = -GM/r
What is escape velocity?
“Escape velocity is the minimum velocity an object must have to escape the gravitational field of a celestial body without further propulsion. It is given by v = √(2GM/r).”
What is a uniform gravitational field?
“A uniform gravitational field is a region where the gravitational field strength is constant in both magnitude and direction
What is the concept of gravitational potential energy in a uniform field?
“In a uniform gravitational field
What is Kepler’s First Law?
“Kepler’s First Law states that the orbit of a planet around the Sun is an ellipse
What is Kepler’s Second Law?
“Kepler’s Second Law states that a line joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times
What is Kepler’s Third Law?
“Kepler’s Third Law states that the square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the Sun (T² ∝ r³).”
What is a gravitational potential well?
“A gravitational potential well is a graphical representation of the gravitational potential energy of an object as a function of distance from a mass
What is the relationship between gravitational field strength and gravitational potential?
“The gravitational field strength is the negative gradient of the gravitational potential. Mathematically
What is the concept of orbiting bodies in a gravitational field?
“Orbiting bodies in a gravitational field move along curved paths due to the gravitational force acting upon them. The centripetal force required to maintain the orbit is provided by gravity.”
What is a satellite in orbit?
“A satellite in orbit is an object that is in freefall around a planet or star
What is the concept of circular orbits?
“A circular orbit occurs when an object moves in a path that keeps a constant distance from the center of the object it orbits. The gravitational force provides the centripetal force needed for the orbit.”
